Disney Faces Backlash Over Character Removal in ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Live-Action Remake: Fans Demand Change!

Fans of Disney’s classic “Lilo & Stitch” are buzzing with disappointment. The live-action remake, which premiered on May 23, left out a significant character: Captain Gantu, the villain from the original 2002 film.

Director Dean Fleischer Camp shared his reasons for this decision. He stated that they tried to include Gantu but found that his character “didn’t work so well in live action.” Camp emphasized the need for emotional depth between the sisters, Lilo and Nani, and felt removing Gantu allowed more room for their story to unfold.

Not everyone agreed with this choice. Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their frustration. One user questioned, “If you can bring Stitch and other aliens to life, why not Gantu?” Another critic blasted the excuse, stating, “They built an entire armada of aliens but couldn’t find a way to include a central villain?”

Yet, some viewers appreciated the changes. One fan noted the absence of Gantu didn’t diminish the story. They found Jumba’s redesigned character arc enjoyable, concluding that the film worked well without the villain. Another fan argued that expecting an exact copy of the cartoon was unrealistic, suggesting those preferences were better suited for a DVD rewatch.

This isn’t the first instance of fans reacting strongly to changes. Earlier this month, Camp revealed a significant alteration with another character, Pleakley, who no longer wears a dress in the new film. Instead, he and his companion, Dr. Jumba, are depicted as male tourists in Hawaii.

The controversy surrounding this remake follows similar backlash that Disney faced recently. For instance, the live-action “Snow White” also received criticism for deciding to use CGI for the seven dwarfs instead of casting actors, contributing to its underwhelming box office performance.

According to recent surveys, nearly 70% of Disney fans expressed concerns about changes to well-loved characters in live adaptations. This highlights an ongoing tension between staying true to original stories and introducing new interpretations.

“Lilo & Stitch” stars Maia Kealoha (Lilo), Chris Sanders (Stitch), Sydney Agudong (Nani), Billy Magnussen (Pleakley), and Zach Galifianakis (Jumba). The movie also showcases stunning visuals and modern technology, appealing to audiences with its updated animation but, at the same time, keeping alive the heartwarming themes of family and belonging from the original.

The conversation around the remake underscores a broader trend in entertainment today: while technology advances, so too do audience expectations. Fans want to see characters they love treated with care, reminding creators that nostalgia often runs deep.

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